Chapter 606: Selecting A Crew (1/2)
Truen and Zero learned a lot from Ottley about managing a crew even if they didn't think the information was particularly useful. They were more interested in knowing how to sail a ship to get to where they wanted to go. The only crew they needed was already assembled.
For a whole week, Ottley made them participate in menial tasks on the pretext of preparing for an actual voyage. Zero and Truen were no longer allowed into the shipyard now that the actual construction of the Marrissa was in progress. However, they were still allowed to help secure food and building supplies during their break.
The gnomes from Half Moon Village were also finally here, and Zero introduced them to the Sea Hand brothers. As expected, the gnomes hit it off right away with the sea otter shipwrights. Truen and Zero didn't have to do much. They spent most of their time with Ottley, who brought them out to sea with a small crew to observe sea patterns and the sky.
”The moon plays a huge role in the sea patterns,” he told them. ”You should try to memorise the lunar cycle to plot a strategic voyage.”
Several copies of the updated world map were brought up. Truen and Zero both received a copy each. Today, they were going to be cartographers. Ottley assigned them homework to plot three effective voyage plans using the routes Docky proposed to locate Indra Seagloo. They had to take into consideration the logistics arrangement and lunar cycle while they plotted the course.
”Note that not all waters have been explored, and even if they have been recorded, things can change at any notice. Make backup plans in case of sea monster attacks, unpredictable weather and piracy attacks.”
Zero took a look at the map and raised a brow. ”What is this 'no magic' zone?”
Ottley grinned. ”It's the reason why we've been training you to avoid using magic to handle situations. This is a special zone that we encountered once on our voyage. It is a mana-rejecting zone. Many adventurers who took on sea monster-slaying quests meet their watery graves here. It's a very famous high-risk zone that the guilds have classified as restricted access. Not even A-ranked adventurers can take this quest unless they meet the basic qualifications.”
Curious, Zero wanted to know what the qualifications were. Truen studied the map he was given. The sea chart was marked with many strange numbers that he couldn't understand.
Ottley tried to recall what he knew, but it was a long time since he escorted adventurers on sea quests.
”I cannot recall all the requirements. However, there is a requirement for hiring a qualified crew and having the ability to take down an AA-ranked monster single-handedly without magic for anyone interested in taking sea monster-slaying quests. It's also why only a handful of adventurers took on these quests.”
Zero thought about the crew he had as Ottley explained about the members the adventurer needed to hire.